Exhibitor Directory

The use of large glass areas to create bright and open spaces is a growing trend in both automotive and architectural design. However unwanted side-effects from higher solar heat gain impact occupant comfort, safety, and energy use through excessive use of air conditioning and the need for cumbersome and costly shading systems to control glare. While low-e coatings help to reduce the heat from the infra-red portion of the solar spectrum, they do nothing to impact visible light, the source of nearly 50% of the sun’s heat energy. SWITCH Materials’ Active Control interlayer technology is a film-based solution that enables dynamic control over the amount of visible light entering a vehicle or building. SWITCH film darkens automatically in the presence of sunlight to block solar heat gain, but can be returned to the clear state with low voltage electricity. The result is a window that can be controlled by the user to select the optimal amount of light under differing conditions.

The first market for SWITCH Active Control film will be the automotive sector where reducing in the use of air conditioning can translate to a 2.6% increase in gasoline fuel economy or a 3.5% improvement in electric vehicle battery range. SWITCH is currently in an advanced pre-commercial development phase, working with several primary glass manufacturers and tier one automotive suppliers to produce prototype parts coupled to vehicle launches for the 2017 model year. Evaluation and specification programs began with select automotive manufacturers in 2013, and additional programs will be undertaken in 2014. Beyond automotive glazing, SWITCH Active Control film has exciting opportunities in architectural and other markets.

Experienced In:

Canada

China

France

Germany

Japan

Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

United Kingdom

United States

Interested In:

China

France

Germany

Japan

Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

United Kingdom

United States

Sector

Chemicals & Biotechnology

Product Service Offerings:

As vehicle glazing areas increase in size, the solar heat gain impact reduces vehicle energy efficiency through higher air-conditioning loads. SWITCH Materials’ Active Control interlayer technology is a film-based solution that enables control over the amount of visible light entering a vehicle or building through the glazing. SWITCH film darkens automatically in the presence of sunlight to block solar heat gain, but can be returned to the clear state with low voltage electricity. The result is a window that can be controlled by the user to select the optimal amount of light under differing conditions.

Business Development Objectives

SWITCH is currently in an advanced pre-commercial development phase, working with several primary glass manufacturers and tier one automotive suppliers to produce prototype parts coupled to vehicle launches for the 2017 model year. Evaluation and specification programs began with select automotive manufacturers in 2013, and additional programs will be undertaken in 2014. Beyond automotive glazing, SWITCH Active Control film has significant opportunities in architectural and other markets. SWITCH is interested in partnering with companies that have experience supplying products for the global automotive market and that bring a strategic capability in the form of manufacturing, market access, and investment.